Gordon Keith eBook

He walked forward and handed the paper to Keith, who
saw at a glance that it was what Plume had declared
it to be: a marriage certificate, dirty and worn,
but still with signatures that appeared to be genuine.
Keith’s eyes flashed with satisfaction as he
read the name of the Rev. William H. Rimmon and Plume’s
name, evidently written with the same ink at the same
time.

“Now,” said Keith, looking up from the
paper, “I will see that Mrs. Wickersham’s
family is put in possession of this paper.”

“Couldn’t you lend me a small sum, Mr.
Keith,” asked Plume, wheedlingly, “just
for old times’ sake? I know I have done
you wrong and given you good cause to hate me, but
it wasn’t my fault, an’ I’ve done
you a favor to-day, anyhow.”

Keith looked at him for a second, and put his hand
in his pocket.

“I’ll pay you back, as sure as I live—­”
began Plume, cajolingly.

“No, you will not,” said Keith, sharply.
“You could not if you would, and would not if
you could, and I would not lend you a cent or have
a business transaction with you for all the money
in New York. I will give you this—­for
the person you have most injured in life. Now,
don’t thank me for it, but go.”

Plume took, with glistening eyes and profuse thanks,
the bills that were handed out to him, and shambled
out of the room.

That night Keith, having shown the signatures to a
good expert, who pronounced them genuine, telegraphed
Dr. Balsam to notify Squire Rawson that he had the
proof of Phrony’s marriage. The Doctor went
over to see the old squire. He mentioned the
matter casually, for he knew his man. But as
well as he knew him, he found himself mistaken in him.

“I know that,” he said quietly, “but
what I want is to find Phrony.” His deep
eyes glowed for a while and suddenly flamed. “I’m
a rich man,” he broke out, “but I’d
give every dollar I ever owned to get her back, and
to get my hand once on that man.”

The deep fire glowed for a while and then grew dull
again, and the old man sank back into his former grim
silence.

The Doctor looked at him commiseratingly. Keith
had written him fully of Phrony and her condition,
and he had decided to say nothing to the old grandfather.

CHAPTER XXX

“SNUGGLERS’ ROOST”

Wickersham began to renew his visits to Mrs. Wentworth,
which he had discontinued for a time when he had found
himself repulsed. The repulse had stimulated
his desire to win her; but he had a further motive.
Among other things, she might ask for an accounting
of the money he had had of her, and he wanted more
money. He must keep up appearances, or others
might pounce upon him.

When he began again, it was on a new line. He
appealed to her sympathy. If he had forgotten
himself so far as to ask for more than friendship,
she would, he hoped, forgive him. She could not
find a truer friend. He would never offend her
so again; but he must have her friendship, or he might
do something desperate.